Author Bethel Grove
  • Home
  • Bethel's Books
    • Redeeming the Beast
    • Beyond Your Wardrobe
    • Are You Ready to Be Baptized
    • Other Books
  • Lion's Eyes Reviews
    • Blog
    • Books in Review
    • Movies in Review
    • Broadway in Review
    • Quick Reviews
    • Rating Systems
    • Book Launching
  • Teen Girl Youth Ministry
    • TGYM Blog
    • Recommended Resources
  • Other Projects
    • Spoken Word
    • LOTR Fanfiction
    • Personal Blog Posts
  • Merchandise
  • Book Launch Services
  • Review Requests
  • About
    • Meet Bethel
    • Programs and Affiliates
  • Contact
Picture

Books in Review: The Polygamist's Daughter

11/26/2017

2 Comments

 
​I would have never guessed she grew up in a cult. I “met” Anna online when she was the publisher’s leader of one of my most recent book launches. In fact, I realized we had been on other book launches together! She is so fun and full of passion, especially when it comes to reading and launching books she believes in. (She even called herself the “cat header”, lol) When she friended me on Facebook, I was excited to find out that she had written her own book, but I was shocked to discover what it was about. I was very curious and brought it soon after. I was amazed when I finished it, amazed by all that this woman has overcome. Much of her story is shocking and unsettling, especially for those of us that haven’t grown up in a polygamist culture or in extreme poverty. Being this vulnerable about her broken and difficult past wasn’t easy, but God has used it for His glory. I am so grateful I found this book and for Anna’s courage in sharing her story. I hope that anyone that reads this book will be inspired to let God use the broken pasts of your past for His glory ~ Bethel

​Many people with broken or difficult pasts struggle to share their story. Especially when you are still in the process of healing from your brokenness, most of us would tend to suppress memories of our past trials. This tends to lead to a feeling of isolation and can often hinder the healing process. Therefore, it takes great courage to write a book that shares your life story when you have brokenness in your past. In fact, after reading this book, I’ve come to realize that writing a autobiography or memoir is one of the most courageous and vulnerable things any writer can do.
Picture
​In Anna LeBaron’s memoir, The Polygamist’s Daughter, we meet one of over 50 children of the infamous Ervil Lebaron, the murderous leader of a Mormon fundamentalist group with 13 wives. Anna and her siblings grew up in the worst of condition, as their family was extremely poor and constantly on the run from law enforcement due to her father’s illegal activities. She was often separated from her mother and mistreated by her father’s other wives (sister-wives). They all believed that Ervil was a prophet of God and they have to do whatever he told them. As a result, they all suffered at his hands. When her father was arrested and eventually died in prison, the oppression from the cult did not stop. They living conditions did not improve and many of her siblings and the sister-wives were forced to work for slave wages or no wages. When Anna’s mother and some of her siblings moved away from the cult’s leader, things finally started to turn around for their family. They had some money to provide for basic needs and things were going well for them. But when the cult’s leader convinced Anna’s mom to move back, Anna knew that she could not go with them. She ran away when she was 13, moving in with her half-sister Lillian, her husband Mark, and their six children. After being enrolled in a Christian school, Anna (as well as Mark and Lillian) can to know Christ and they lived changed for the better. But this doesn’t mean that their troubles from the cult were over. After several years past, some of the people that escaped the cult were murdered at the exact same time, Anna’s life was once again turned upside down. Several years later, after 5 children and a marriage that she through twice, Anna found healing throughout that time through the help of counseling, and was finally able to break down the walls of defenses she had built up to survive during her childhood in the cult. And seeing where she ends up is probably the best part of all.

This incredible woman should be an inspiration to all of us. I am personally in awe of the raw honesty in her story and as her courage in being willing to share it with her readers. Through many trials, she has overcome is now a strong woman in Christ. My heart grieved for what she went through, but also rejoiced to see all that she overcame. You will be moved, challenged and inspired by this powerful story if you read it. I highly recommend this book to anyone about 13 or older (due to moderate references to violent events and mild sexual content). Get your copy today!

Picture
Teen Rating. Due to moderate references to violent events and mild sexual content, I would recommend a reader be at least 13 before reading this. It is also a long book, depending on your reading level
Picture
Personal Rating. I was so touched and moved by this story. I know you will be too if you read it
2 Comments
Anna link
11/27/2017 12:57:00 pm

What a fun surprise to read this! :)

Reply
Bethel
11/29/2017 02:47:54 pm

Glad you liked it :)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Lion's Eyes Reviews is a blog dedicated to reviews of Christian books, most of which are non-fiction, but may also occasionally review movies and musicals. It will also feature the work Bethel does to help launch and promote the works of Christian authors.

    The name is derived from one of Bethel's favorite books, Through the Eyes of a Lion by Levi Lusko. Through these reviews, Bethel hope to give Christians the tools they need to look at the world "through the eyes of a lion" so they can find the courage to "run toward the roar". 

    To find the detailed archives of these reviews, you can check them out here:

    Books In Review
    Movies in Review
    Broadway In Review

    Quick Reviews

    ​
    To understand the rating used in these reviews, click here

    Categories

    All
    Apologetics
    Beyond Your Wardrobe
    Bible Studies
    Biography
    Books I Don't Recommend
    Books In Preview
    Books In Review
    Broadway In Review
    Carpe Aeternatatum
    Christian Fiction
    Christian Living
    Coming Soon
    Creativity
    Devotionals
    Disney In Review
    EBook Releases
    EBooks In Review
    Entertainment
    Forgiveness
    For Women
    Friendship
    Girl Talk (Teens)
    Girl Talk (Tweens)
    Grieving With Hope
    Holidays In Perspective
    Interviews
    Lessons From The Bible
    Lessons Learned
    Lion's Eyes Updates
    Love
    Modesty And Fashion
    Movies In Review
    Music In Review
    My Cloud Of Witnesses
    My Generation
    My YouTube Videos
    Personal Experiences
    Personal Updates
    Prayer
    Princess Worth Dying For
    PWDF Updates
    Reading Recommendations
    Relationships/Sexuality
    Running Toward The Roar
    Singleness
    To The End Of Her Days
    Youth Ministry

    Archives

    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

    RSS Feed


Picture
​Bethel Grove is a Christian author, book reviewer, and book launcher.  A graduate of Ozark Christian College, she is trained in biblical hermeneutics (how to interpret Scripture) and practical ministry. She has written seven self-published titles, published dozens of Christian book reviews, and been involved in over a dozen Christian book launches, both as a team member and a leader. She enjoys reading, writing, singing, and mentoring younger women. She hopes to someday be a vocational youth minister.
​Learn more

Bethel's Books

Redeeming the Beast
Beyond Your Wardrobe

Are You Ready to Be Baptized?
Other Books

Lion Eyes Reviews

Book Reviews
Musical Reviews
Movie Reviews
Quick Reviews

Teen Girl Youth Ministry

TGYM Blog
Recommended Resources

Support

Purchase Beyond Your Wardrobe
Purchase Apparel
Subscribe on YouTube
​Join the Team
​Contact

Let's Stay Connected!

Princess Worth Dying For Ministries
Teen Girl Youth Ministry
     

    Join Bethel's Inner Circle

    ​Are you interested in following Bethel's journey as an author, book reviewer, and hopefully a future youth minister? Then sign up to join her inner circle today to get email updates on her latest projects and her ministry journey. As a thank you, she will send you the "10 Essential Non-Fiction Books Every Christian Should Read" PDF for free.
Submit
© 2022 PRINCESS WORTH DYING FOR MINISTRIES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Bethel's Books
    • Redeeming the Beast
    • Beyond Your Wardrobe
    • Are You Ready to Be Baptized
    • Other Books
  • Lion's Eyes Reviews
    • Blog
    • Books in Review
    • Movies in Review
    • Broadway in Review
    • Quick Reviews
    • Rating Systems
    • Book Launching
  • Teen Girl Youth Ministry
    • TGYM Blog
    • Recommended Resources
  • Other Projects
    • Spoken Word
    • LOTR Fanfiction
    • Personal Blog Posts
  • Merchandise
  • Book Launch Services
  • Review Requests
  • About
    • Meet Bethel
    • Programs and Affiliates
  • Contact